Delaware County has a commitment to revitalization and on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 the Delaware County Council launched a new phase of its revitalization plan.

The original plan was launched in 2002 to help parts of the community that were struggling with the poor economy and a change in populations.  The new additions to the plan involve establishing a new revitalization area, upgrade current revitalization work projects and adding Haverford Township into one of the work areas.

The revitalization program was divided into five regions when it was first created, six years ago.  Areas that are “revitalized” receive redevelopment of town centers, easier access to the waterfront and repairs to both vacant houses and open space areas.  Many open space areas were targeted for land preservation in the western part of the county. Whelan sited Ridley Township as an example.  “We refurbished all of the docks in Ridley,” said Whalen.  “Now, they can invite people down to the waterfront.  They redid their entire business section.  They made the streets wider.  It really helped their businesses.  Now, they’re revitalizing their community centers.”

The 2008 additions to the plan resulted in the success of the program for the past six years.  Whelan said they not only wanted to make improvements to the plan, but also wanted to see if people in the eastern part of the county would be willing to preserve the same type of land for open space as residents of the western part of Delaware County.

“This was our time to see where we were at,” Whelan said. “We wanted to see what we needed to complete programs that we started.  We also wanted to go back to the municipalities and see what else their needs were to continue with revitalization.  We also said to the municipalities in the eastern end that we weren’t leaving open space to the west.”

The sixth region added to the revitalization plan includes Aston, Brookhaven and Upper Chichester.  Many of these communities have a history that goes back four centuries.  “We saw in those areas that there was a need for open space, as well as a strong need for revitalization,” said Whelan.  “We also added to Region Five by adding Haverford Township.  They were working on revitalization of their Haverford Road area, as well as their Eagle Road area.”

The Planning Department is currently working with the task forces in each of the original regions to see what improvements can be made.  Many of the initiatives may be used as a model for the newest areas of revitalization and open space to use as a guide for future improvements.  Whelan believes the success of the project will continue for years to come.  “We’ve put over $20 million into these areas,” Whelan said.  “We were originally thinking of open space to the west and revitalization to the east.  Now, we’re looking to see what we can improve on in all areas.”